March 2, 2023

NCLS 2023: Jared Isaacman says leaders must empower their teams

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments and mission commander of Polaris Dawn, addresses cadets during his fireside chat at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 23, 2023. He shares his experience building high performance teams with National Character and Leadership Symposium attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Jared Isaacman, pilot, civilian astronaut and CEO of Shift4 payments, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his U.S. Air Force Academy’s National Character and Leadership Symposium fireside chat.   Isaacman shared why leadership and teamwork secured...

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April 3, 2023

Cadet Chapel reaches restoration milestone

Contractors lower the final panel of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel during a ceremony, March 30, 2023. The ceremony signified the transition from the demolition phase and site preparation to the reconstruction phase of the chapel restoration. Academy officials expect contractors to complete the work by 2027. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project reached a landmark milestone when contractors removed the final aluminum panel March 30. The event marked the 1,008th...

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April 13, 2023

Junior cadet selected as Academy’s 24th Truman Scholar

Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, recipient of the Truman Scholarship U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, Class of 2024, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The junior was named among 62 Truman Scholars selected from 705 applicants nominated by 275 colleges, universities and military service academies. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, as well as academic excellence. Each...

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April 17, 2023

Cadets create Academy “green tour”

Cadets first class Ardent Almazan, Emily Lukowski and Maddie Williams (left to right) admire the sustainability features in Polaris Hall, a LEED Gold-certified building, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 4, 2023. The cadets developed a green tour of the Academy for their Geospatial capstone. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Justin Pacheco)  By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - You can now take a “green tour” of the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to three senior cadets’ geospatial sciences capstone project.  Cadets first class Emily Lukowski, Maddie Williams and Ardent Almazan spent this semester...

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April 26, 2023

Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion

Cadet 1st Class Catherine Manning moderates a discussion with Gen. James Hecker and retired Gen. Tod Wolters during the Eaker Lecture at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 19, 2023. Retired Generals Philip Breedlove and Jeffrey Harrigian participated remotely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)   By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -  Present and former U.S. Air Forces Europe commanders shared insights into the year-old Russia-Ukraine war with cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy Wednesday during the Ira C. Eaker Distinguished Lecture.  Current USAFE commander Gen. James Hecker, Academy class of...

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May 8, 2023

Air Force Academy honors Spirit 03 aircrew legacy

(from left-to-right) Randy Helms, Colorado Springs City Council president and U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1979 graduate; Lt. Col. Colin LaFavor, 16th Special Operations Squadron commander; Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent; Michael Van Hoomissen, Academy Class of 1979 president; Karen Roberts, Maj. Paul Weaver’s sister; Jennifer Lavery, Weaver’s sister; and Mark Hille, Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates president, dedicate an AC-130H Spectre gunship sculpture during a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to memorialize the aircrew of Spirit 03, May 5, 2023. Maj. Paul Weaver, Spirit 03 aircraft commander and...

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May 8, 2023

Disaster relief training acts as leadership lab

Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy listen to Team Rubicon instructors during chainsaw training in Larkspur, Colo. in March 2023. The training is part of an effort by cadets to develop a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief club at the Academy. (courtesy photo: Team Rubicon)    By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.-  Cadet 3rd Class Kevin Duong said he just felt like he wasn’t doing enough. Now he spends his free time organizing cadets, creating partnerships and learning new skills in hopes of establishing a new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief...

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September 19, 2023

Academy ranks among best colleges in latest rankings

Civil engineering cadets participate in hands-on summer programs at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The civil engineering program is ranked among the top ten in the latest U.S. News Best Colleges report. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. News and World Report ranked the U.S. Air Force Academy as one of the nation’s best undergraduate educational institutions in its annual report released Monday. The U.S. News Best Colleges report rates the Academy as second in the Top Public Schools category, up one spot from last year. The...

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September 27, 2023

Cadets prepare for special warfare pre-commissioning screening

U.S. Air Force Academy Special Warfare Club cadets participate in a long-distance team event during the Special Warfare Club’s Mini-Phase II at Jacks Valley Sept. 23, 2023. Phase II is a week-long U.S. Air Force Special Warfare career field pre-commissioning screening. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The U.S. Air Force Academy Special Warfare Club prepares cadets for the challenging Air Force Special Warfare career field pre-commissioning screening. Preparing cadets for an Air Force Specialty Code “Our club is very important as it is designed...

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April 4, 2024

Cadet Wing kicks off Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Teal rope cadets are placed throughout the squadrons in the Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy. They play major roles in the fight against sexual assault and throughout Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response staff and teal ropes helped the Cadet Wing kick off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at Mitchell Hall April 1. This year’s events include an information fair, Take Back the Night II and Denim Day, said...

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